Dublin Port's Boiler House Energy Upgrades

In this section

With 35% funding from SEAI, high efficiency boilers were installed at Dublin Port’s HQ which deliver 54% annual cost savings.

Results

124k

kg of annual CO2 savings

335k

kWh of annual energy savings

Key achievements

More efficient energy

A new micro CHP provides efficient generation of both electricity and heat.

Increased control

Better control of air volumes and temperatures reduce AHU fan power and improve comfort conditions.

Maximised operation

Thermal storage is controlled to extend the CHP operating hours by 40%. High efficiency boilers with advanced controls maximise operation in condensing mode.

Savings achieved

As a result of these innovations, the project delivered significant energy savings in 2014 of 38% on the project baseline year of 2011.

The project

Annual energy (kWh)

Annual costs (€)

Annual CO2 (kg)

Before project

886,944

71,425

254,949

After project

551,098

32,551

130,356

Savings

335,846 (38% saving)

38,874 (54% saving)

124,593 (49% saving)

The project works involved replacing existing boilers with high efficiency condensing units, with new headers, regulating valves and advanced control strategies to maximise condensing operation. A micro CHP was installed to generate electricity and heat. This was coupled with thermal storage vessels and the control valves configured to regulate charging and discharging in a way that extends the CHP operating hours by 40% per annum.

Gas and heat meters were installed to facilitate the measurement and verification of performance and ongoing energy reporting. In the offices, the pneumatic thermostats were replaced with BMS-connected temperature sensors. The pneumatic operation of the variable air volume boxes were replaced with BMS-controlled actuators.

The project was delivered through an Energy Performance Related Payment (EPRP) model. The standard NEC3 Engineering & Construction Contract was used but modified. The boiler house refurbishment, the consultant, and the main contractor each guaranteed that the project would achieve a 15% energy-efficiency improvement in fossil fuel use. If this guarantee was not achieved, each would lose 7.5% of their respective contract values.

For the ventilation controls retrofit, this involved a pain/gain share arrangement. Performance was measured by evaluating electrical savings. If 100% of the target electrical kWh savings are achieved, the parties receive 100% of their respective fees. For each 1% of additional savings, the consultant and contractor receive a bonus of 0.5% of their fee, up to a maximum of 5%. For each 1% savings falling short of target, the contractor incurs a penalty of 0.5% of their fee, up to a maximum of 5%.

“This project involved innovative design, complex installation and extensive tuning of controls to maximise savings. The performance guarantees, provided by the consultant and contractors, ensured we all worked together to exceed the energy savings target.”

Cian O’Riordan, Managing Director, PowerTherm Solutions

“This project is continuing to deliver ongoing savings in excess of the performance guarantee, maintaining our building’s comfort conditions in an efficient manner.”

Ciaran Callan, Services Manager, Dublin Port Company

Finance and funding

The boiler house project works were designed, procured, and supervised by the project consultants PowerTherm Solutions. Works were undertaken by the mechanical contractors T Bourke & Co. and controls contractor Standard Control Systems.